UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Association of University and College Counseling Center (AUCCCD) is the largest organization of campus mental health leaders in the world and each year they recognize members who show excellence in promoting campus mental health.

This year Benjamin Locke, senior director for counseling and psychological services (CAPS), was elected to the AUCCCD board of directors. Locke will serve a three-year term in which he will have the ability to guide campus mental health policies and initiatives at the highest levels.

Benjamin Locke, senior director for counseling and psychological services (CAPS), was elected to the AUCCCD Board of Directors

IMAGE: Penn State

“I look forward to joining this dynamic team, learning from leaders in the field, and contributing to the future of college student mental health,” Locke said.

Locke received the 2017 AUCCCD Award for Excellence in Counseling Center Scholarship, in recognition of his work in founding and running the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH), an international practice-research network, based at Penn State, that represents more than 540 institutions.

In 2016, Locke was named senior director of CAPS after serving from 2003 to 2011 as assistant director and as associate director since 2011.

Locke said that he is honored to join the board and to represent Penn State within the counseling center field.